by John Berry, for Pompano Park
Pompano Beach, FL — Drachan Hanover, driven by Wally Hennessey, took top honors in Pompano Park’s featured $11,000 Open II Handicap Pace on Sunday night (Dec. 3), stopping the timer in 1:51.1.
The classy 5-year-old son of Jereme’s Jet led from first long stride out of the gate to last in scoring a handy two length win over the late charging Pointsman (Mike Simons) with Uncmprmising Z Tam (Ricky Macomber Jr.) next. Bestinthebusiness finished fourth while Dee’s Rocket Man picked up the nickel in the field of eight.
After an opening panel in a sharp :26.2, Drachan Hanover enjoyed a :29.2 breather during quarter number two to reach the half in :55.4. On the backside, Drachan Hanover put a damper on the field closing in by sprinting up the backside in :26.4, reaching the third station in 1:22.3 while enjoying a comfortable two length advantage over Pointsman and Uncmprmising Z Tam on the outside. Turning for home, Drachan Hanover stretched the lead to three lengths and coasted home in :28.3 to earn his first fall success at Pompano Park.
In a post-race interview, driver Wally Hennessey related, “I drove him in his qualifier a few weeks ago and he was really fleet-footed out of the gate. Post five here is the perfect spot to do that here so when the gate sprang, I was ready and so was he. He almost pushed the car away from him and he was strong all the way. He was very sharp tonight.”
Trained by Marcel Barrieau for owners Lloyd Maclean and Kenneth Rankin, Drachan Hanover pushed his 2017 scorecard to 5-3-1 in 23 starts, good for $44,338. Lifetime, the 5-year-old has earned $388,315 to go along with his 1:50.1 mark set at Pompano Park last semester. As the even-money toteboard favorite, Drachan Hanover paid $4.00 to his many faithful.
Skip Smith photo
The Florida Amateur Driving Club pushed their donations over the $185,000 mark with a contribution to Nova Southeast University’s Equestrian Team.
The Florida Amateur Driving Club made their presence on the Sunday night program especially meaningful by pushing their charitable contributions well over the $185,000 mark with a sizable contribution to the Nova Southeast University Equestrian Team.
President Dein Spriggs echoed the sentiments of the club by saying, “It is an honor for our group to participate in this team’s future success and we wish them well as they tour the State promoting equestrian activity. Horses play such an important role in our world — from the healthy up-bringing of our youth to health benefits for anyone 2 to 92!”
Crazy Ponda (Jamie Marra) and Explosive Jet (“Sky” Walker) won their respective events with the Nova Equestrian team members, led by coaches Jackie George and Allie George, in the winner’s circle as Jessica Hallett received the “large” check.
Racing continues on Monday night with post time pegged at 7:20 p.m.